GLADYS at Firehouse Theatre

GLADYS is a new musical inspired by the life of Harlem Renaissance entertainer Gladys Bentley, with book, music, and lyrics by Jason Marks. The story follows Bentley from her arrival in Harlem as a teenager through her rise as a celebrated nightclub entertainer known for performing in a white tuxedo and top hat. Set from the 1920s through the 1950s, the musical explores fame, family, identity, faith, and love against a shifting American cultural landscape. The developmental reading is directed by Shanea Taylor and features a company of Richmond-area theatre artists, followed by a post-show discussion.